The MOF/GO-based derivatives with Co@CoO core-shell structure supported on the N-doped graphene as electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

The development of nonprecious catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is important for the commercialization of the alkaline fuel cells (AFCs). Herein, we prepared a kind of Co-based nanoparticles (NPs) with a core-shell (Co@CoO) structure supported on the N-doped graphene (Co@CoO/NG) as an efficient ORR catalyst via simply pyrolyzing the ZIF-67 anchored on the synthesized graphene oxide (GO). The catalytic activity for ORR of the obtained Co@CoO/NG is comparable with the state-of-art Pt/C catalyst in terms of the onset and half-wave potential in the alkaline solution. In addition, the Co@CoO/NG exhibited an excellent ORR durability and antimethanol activity compared to the commercial Pt/C. This research would provide a simple strategy to prepare the high-performance nonprecious metal-based catalysts for AFCs.